As an accredited and inspected school, North Toronto Academy meets and exceeds the requirements of Ontario curriculum, as set out by the Ministry of Education.

On an individual case-by-case basis, Grade 7 and 8 students may be exempted from taking French where there are reasonable grounds, and such an exemption is in the best educational interests of the student.  Similarly, Grade 9 students may be given a substitution for the Core French compulsory course, where it is in the best educational interests of the child. Parental consent and the approval of the Principal is required.  Please see the Personalized Education page for more details.

In Grade 7, all courses are compulsory (no optional or elective courses are available).

LANGUAGE (ENGLISH)

This course covers the following four areas of study: oral communication, reading, writing, and media literacy. The course is taken throughout the school year, but it is broken into two distinct sections: Language 1 (first semester) focuses on reading and writing, while Language 2 (second semester) focuses on oral communication and media literacy.

Language 1

The reading component requires students to demonstrate an understanding of a variety of literary, graphic, and informational texts, using a range of strategies to construct meaning. The writing section of the course focuses on generating, gathering, and organizing ideas and information, and then presenting it through short stories, research compositions and proposals, and creative work. In addition to short assignments and quizzes, students will write a book report based on a novel of their choice.  

Language 2

Students will develop listening and speaking skills that allow them to understand and respond appropriately to a variety of situations. Students will have many opportunities to communicate their ideas through informal class discussions and small group work situations. Students will use their writing expertise from Language 1 to write a speech on a topic of their choice, and then presenting their speech orally to their teacher and peers. The media literacy section of this course shows students how to identify and understand a variety of media texts; they also discover how the conventions and techniques associated with media texts are used to create meaning.

MATHEMATICS

There are five topics covered in this course designed to deliver the mathematical knowledge appropriate for the Grade 7 student: number sense and numeration, measurement, geometry and spatial sense, patterning and algebra, and data management and probability. The course is taken throughout the school year, but it is broken into two distinct sections: Mathematics 1 (first semester) focuses on decimals, fractions, percentages, and introductory statistics, while Mathematics 2 (second semester) focuses on metric measurement, area, volume, and geometry.

Mathematics 1

Students expand their number sense and numeration by learning how to perform mathematical operations with decimals and fractions. Students are expected to develop problem-solving and communication skills involving the language and notation of mathematics, as well as an understanding of mathematical concepts through investigation, the effective use of technology, and abstract reasoning. Students will learn what probability means and how it affects the outcome of specific problems. In addition to the proper use of the calculator, mental math and estimation skills will be stressed in this course.

Mathematics 2

The measurement unit teaches students how to convert between metric units, including square centimeters and square meters. They learn how to find the area and perimeter of irregular two-dimensional shapes, determine the surface area and volume of rectangular prisms, and apply the formula for the volume of a prism. Students will have the opportunity to manipulate a variety of 3-D objects in order to better understand the concept of area and volume.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

This subject is comprised of four strands, covering the major areas of knowledge and skills related to the science curriculum. The four strands include Life Systems: Interactions in the Environment, Structures and Mechanics: Form and Function, Matter and Energy: Pure Substances and Mixtures, and Earth and Space Systems: Heat in the Environment. This course is also split into two distinct sections; the first focuses on Life Systems and Earth and Space Systems, while the second focuses on Structures and Mechanics and Matter and Energy.

Science 1

Students will learn how to make sense of the natural world through investigations of ecosystems, human impacts on those ecosystems, and methods of sustainability.  After studying their personal environmental impacts using such tools as a carbon calculator, students will design and implement a personal carbon-reduction action plan. Students will also learn about the causes and effects of heat, investigate its properties, relate it to geological and meteorological processes, and use their new-found knowledge to design a device to minimize heat transfer.

Science 2

Students will continue to learn about the effects of forces that act on and within different structural forms. Taking into consideration environmental, social, and economic factors, they will investigate how different structural forms support or withstand loads by designing, building, and testing structures, using increasingly sophisticated techniques. By exploring the distinction between pure substances and mechanical mixtures and solutions, students will come to recognize that most matter is either a solution or a mechanical mixture. Students will use this information to weigh the social and environmental consequences of the use of various consumer products. The introduction of a scientific model (the particle theory) to describe the particulate nature of matter will provide students with a conceptual basis for learning in this area.

HISTORY

In Grade 7, the study of history focuses on the development of Canada from the seventeenth century to the early nineteenth century. Students investigate the contributions of significant groups and individuals and develop an understanding of Canada’s European roots. They study the early settlements of North America and their impact on the First Nation peoples and on English-France relations. They examine the economic, social and political challenges facing New France and British North America, as well as the course of conflict and change in the two colonies that culminated the rebellions of 1837-38. Emphasis is placed on the development of critical thinking skills, including the ability to examine issues from more than one point of view.

GEOGRAPHY

To develop a solid foundation of the knowledge and skills required in geography, students in Grade 7 are introduced to concepts and methods of geographic inquiry. The Grade 7 geography curriculum also focuses on physical patterns and how they affect human activity. Students recognize patterns as an essential concept in geography. As well, students examine the various ways resources are used and the environmental implications of their use. Students demonstrate an understanding of the impact technology has on natural resources.

ART

The Grade 7 art program is history and skill based, stressing the viewing and discussion of important works and the techniques used to express oneself artistically. Studio projects are based on the periods studied and highlight the important styles and artists from the Prehistoric to Modern art periods. Students have the opportunity to work with a variety of media, developing projects using their understanding of the elements of design. The main goal of the Visual Arts program is to allow students the opportunity to explore creative issues and develop the skills and confidence necessary to express their ideas.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION

This course focuses on the importance of regular physical activity and appropriate lifestyle choices. Students will be given an opportunity to participate in a variety of physical activities that promote lifelong healthy active living. The health program follows the ideals of overall wellness and will cover issues such as decision making, sexual education and substance use and abuse. Students participate on a regular basis in physical activities that maintain or improve physical fitness. Through a balance of activities, students build strength, endurance, flexibility, balance and coordination, as well as develop creative expression, freedom of movement, problem solving skills and the ability to work as a team. This program promotes body awareness and self confidence, and helps children recognize and enjoy the value of physical fitness and good health.

FRENCH (OPTIONAL)

French as a Second Language: Core French is broken down into 3 major sections, which correspond to the main areas of language use: oral communication, reading, and writing. In Grade 7, students will learn how to listen and talk about short, oral texts in structured and open-ended sentences, as well as read a variety of classroom and simple authentic materials, 200 to 400 words long, and demonstrate understanding. They will also be instructed on how to properly communicate information and ideas in writing, in structured and open-ended situations and be able to identify and use specific vocabulary, language and grammar conventions.

In Grade 8, all courses are compulsory (no optional or elective courses are available).

LANGUAGE (ENGLISH)

This course covers the following four areas of study: oral communication, reading, writing, and media literacy. The course is taken throughout the school year, but it is broken into two distinct sections: Language 1 (first semester) focuses on reading and writing, while Language 2 (second semester) focuses on oral communication and media literacy.

Language 1

The reading component requires students to read a wide variety of increasingly complex or difficult texts from diverse cultures, including literary texts graphic texts, and informational texts. Students will show understanding of these complex texts by summarizing important ideas and explaining how the details support the main idea through appropriate and varied writing forms. Grade 8s will also identify and use a range of elements of style – including symbolism, irony, analogy, metaphor, and other rhetorical devices – and explain how they help communicate meaning and enhance the effectiveness of texts. Students will develop their writing ability by establishing a distinctive voice in their writing appropriate to the subject and audience, regularly use vivid and/or figurative language and innovative expressions in their writing, and continually critiquing their writing process and final product.

Language 2

Students will further develop their oral communication skills throughout this course. They will communicate in a clear, coherent manner, using a structure and style appropriate to the purpose, the subject matter, and the intended audience. Students learn how to use appropriate words, phrases, and terminology from the full range of their vocabulary to communicate their meaning effectively and engage the interest of their intended audience. Media literacy will be studied in greater detail in Grade 8; students will interpret increasingly complex or difficult media texts, using overt and implied messages as evidence for their interpretations. They will also identify who produces various media texts and determine the commercial, ideological, political, cultural, and/or artistic interests or perspectives that the texts may involve.

MATHEMATICS

The five topics covered in this course are the same as those explored in Grade 7, and are designed to deliver the mathematical knowledge appropriate for the Grade 8 student. The topics include number sense and numeration, measurement, geometry and spatial sense, patterning and algebra, and data management and probability. The Grade 8 mathematics course will also be split into two distinct courses that span the whole academic year, which allows students the benefit of time to learn important concepts. The first part of the course will cover number sense and numeration, measurement, and geometry and spatial sense; the second part of the course will cover patterning and algebra and data management and probability.

Mathematics 1

Students expand their number sense by representing numbers using scientific notation, solving multi-step problems involving whole numbers and decimals, and applying order of operations in expressions with brackets and exponents. In the measurement unit, students develop area and circumference relationships of a circle, develop and apply the formula for the volume of a cylinder, and use surface-area relationships for cylinders. The geometry unit focuses on investigating relationships among shapes and parallel and intersecting lines, as well as determining and applying Pythagorean relationship geometrically.

Mathematics 2

In the patterning and algebra unit, students will represent the general term in a linear sequence and solve linear equations involving one-variable terms with integer solutions. The data management and probability unit requires students to collect various forms of data, organize the data into intervals, and display the data using appropriate graphs and plots. They will also compare experimental and theoretical probabilities and calculate the probability of complementary events.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

This subject is comprised of four strands, covering the major areas of knowledge and skills related to the science curriculum. The four strands include Life Systems: Cells, Structures and Mechanics: Systems in Action, Matter and Energy: Fluids, and Earth and Space Systems: Water Systems. This course is also split into two distinct sections; the first focuses on Cells and Systems in Action, while the second focuses on Fluids and Water Systems.

Science 1

Students will continue to develop their knowledge of organisms by focusing on the structure and function of cells in plants and animals. They will learn how to use microscopes to observe cells in amazing detail. The Systems in Action unit focuses on mechanical advantage of mechanical systems; students will learn about the overall safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of a variety of systems. Demonstrations and small experiments are used to develop definitions for work, force, energy, and efficiency.  

Science 2

Students will learn about the diverse applications of the principles involved in fluid mechanics, the impacts of technological innovations based on the properties of fluids, and the industries and jobs related to fluids. To learn about the properties of fluids, students will experiment with and investigate the viscosity and density of different liquids and ways in which these properties affect objects placed in those liquids. Students will explore the implications of Archimedes’ principle by investigating and measuring the buoyant forces on different objects. In learning about the earth’s water systems, students will develop an understanding of the important role that water systems play in global ecosystems. They will evaluate the role media play in portraying controversial water issues and research recent technological innovations related to Earth’s water systems. Students will gain a basic understanding of Earth’s water systems and come to a better understanding of their own role in caring for this precious resource.

HISTORY

In Grade 8, students develop an understanding of events in Canada from the 1850s to 1914 and the events leading up to the beginning of the First World War. They investigate the formation of the Canadian nation and its subsequent expansion. They also examine some of the individuals, groups, and movements promoting political and social change in the early twentieth century.

GEOGRAPHY

In Grade 8, the study of geography focuses on patterns in human geography, economic systems, and migration. Students will explain population distribution and characteristics, and investigate how human activities are affected by these patterns. They examine economic systems and the economic relationship between Canada and the global community, as well as the major types of migration and factors affecting human mobility

ART

The Grade 8 art program builds on the historical knowledge students gained in the Grade 7 course. Studio projects are based on specific artists, and they have the opportunity to develop and create independent projects. Students will continue to work with a variety of media. They study the principles of Colour Theory and the employment of those principles. Students will become familiar with the elements and principles of design and the expressive qualities of various materials through working with a range of materials, processes, techniques and styles. They will learn and use methods of analysis and criticism and will study the characteristics of particular historical art periods and a selection of Canadian art and the art of other cultures. The overall objective of the Visual Arts program is to nurture a positive attitude to and an understanding of the role of art and to encourage students to continue to express themselves artistically.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION

In Physical Education, students continue to participate on a regular basis in physical activities that maintain or improve physical fitness. They apply a variety of sport-specific skills related to balance, flexibility, coordination, power and speed, and develop various manipulation skills in sport situations. Students consider the adoption of personal goals that reflect the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of healthy living. They discuss living skills needed to respond to matters related to sexuality, drug use and healthy eating habits. The aim of this course is the development of skills in various physical activities, increased awareness of a variety of health issues and the promotion of long-term healthy lifestyle concepts.

FRENCH (OPTIONAL)

French as a Second Language: Core French is broken down into 3 major sections, which correspond to the main areas of language use: oral communication, reading and writing. In Grade 8, students will listen to and talk about simple oral texts in structured and open-ended situations, as well as express ideas, feelings and opinions in conversations and discussions, using learned language structures and a variety of vocabulary and expressions. They will also be expected to read a variety of simple materials, 400 to 600 words long, and write in a number of forms, adjusting language to suit the audience.

Most Ontario Ministry of Education approved courses are available.  If you don't see you course you are looking for, please contact the school for details. Not all courses are offered each semester.

Grade 9

North Toronto Academy's full time Grade 9 program is composed of all compulsory courses (no optional courses).  Students may choose between the academic or applied stream for English, Math and Science. Part-time students can make arrangements for any of the following courses:

Subject	Academic	Applied	Open
ENGLISH	ENG1D	ENG1P
MATHEMATICS	MPM1D	MFM1P
SCIENCE	SNC1D	SNC1P
GEOGRAPHY OF CANADA	CGC1D	CGC1P
CORE FRENCH	FSF1D	FSF1P
VISUAL ARTS			AVI1O
LEARNING STRATEGIES			GLS10
INTRO TO BUSINESS			BBI10
INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY IN BUSINESS			BTT10

Grade 10 

Subject	Academic	Applied	Open
ENGLISH	ENG2D	ENG21P
MATHEMATICS	MPM2D	MFM2P
SCIENCE	SNC2D	SNC2P
CANADIAN HISTORY	CHC2D	CHC2P
CORE FRENCH	FSF2D
CIVICS (0.5 credit)			CHV20
CAREER STUDIES(0.5 credit)			GLC20
INTRO TO INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN BUSINESS			BTT2O
INTRO TO BUSINESS			BBI20
INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY LIVING			HIF20

Grade 11

In Grade 11 English, Math and Science/Technology courses are compulsory, and students choose 5 optional courses from those offered by the school.   

Customized Schedules,  July and August Sessions offered